Method and apparatus for mounting printing plates



May 23, 1961 E. J. LA couR 2,984,910

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING PRINTING PLATES llll INVENTOR.

EDGAR J. LA (Iowa ATTORNEY E. J. LA COUR May 23, 1961 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING PRINTING PLATES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 2, 1959 INVENTOR.

EDGAR J. LA CouR BY Q1, Q1. kit-4A ATTORNEY May 23, 1961 E. J. LA COUR 2,984,910 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING PRINTING PLATES Filed July 2, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 e2 15 16 I a 74 f 2 (1%2 m m L r=|c.4 37 45 Q W. w EM ATTORNEY May 23, 1961 E. J. LA COUR METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING PRINTING PLATES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 2, 1959 FIG. IO

FIG. 12

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FIG. l6

FIG. 14

FIG. I5

INVENTOR EDGAR J. LA Coua ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 2,984,910 Patented May 23, 1961 NIETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING PRINTING PLATES Edgar J. La Cour, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Orchard Paper Co., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed July 2, 1959, Ser. No. 824,543

11 Claims. (Cl. 33-1845) This invention relates in general to printing and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for mounting printing plates in registering relationship upon the cylinders of a rotary press, primarily, for multicolor printing.

In multicolor printing by rotary presses, the problem of expeditiously and accurately mounting printing plates on the cylinders of such presses has long beset the printing industry. Although substantial developments have been made in the art of producing the printing plates, commensurate advances have not been made heretofore in collocating and securing such plates on cylinders, with the result that laborious and time-consuming eiiort, with attendant expense, has been reluctantly, but generally, accepted as conventional for these procedures. In such types of printing, it is necessary to mount a plurality of printing plates, normally of flexible material, upon the circumferential face of each cylinder, with the plates of each cylinder being adapted to impart a single, definite color upon the web to be imprinted. Consequently, the number of cylinders utilized for any one production run will depend upon the number of colors involved and, hence, it is critical that the plates be positioned upon their respective cylinders for registration with the plates of the other cylinders to assure an artistic and accurate imprint.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus adapted for the accurate and rapid positionment and securement of printing plates upon rotary printing cylinders.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for the expeditious disposition and attachment of printing plates in registering relationship upon a plurality of rotary printing cylinders so that the color imparted to the material to be printed by the plates on one cylinder will be in artistic register with the color or colors printed by the plates of the associated cylinders.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which may be easily operated for elfecting securement of printing plates on printing cylinders in minimum time; the operation of which does not necessitate or involve down time of a rotary press; which is adapted for handling cylinders of varying diameter and longitudinal extent; which is capable of positioning printing plates upon a cylinder in any pre-selected pattern; which may be most economically manufactured; and which comprises a simplicity of parts so that the same is durable and reliable in usage.

Other objects and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings (four sheets) whereina Figure 1 is a front elevational view of an apparatus for mounting printing cylinders, which apparatus is constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizontal transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 44 of Figure 1. V

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 66 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 77 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a positive transparency bearing a design to be imprinted.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a printing plate for imparting one color of the design shown on the transparency.

Figure 10 is a plan View of another printing plate for imparting another color of the design shown on the transparency.

Figures 11, 12, 13, 14 and 1-5 are partial plan views showing successive steps in the procedure of mounting printing plates upon a cylinder, as follows:

Figure 11 shows the transparency in registering relationship with the associated cylinder.

Figure 12 illustrates the registering of the printing plate shown in Figure 9, with the transparency, preparatory to disposition upon the related cylinder.

Figure 13 illustrates the printing plate in fully mounted position.

Figure 14 shows the transparency in position for the mounting of a second printing plate in axial relationship to the printing plate previously mounted.

Figure 15 illustrates the transparency in position for the mounting of a printing plate in cylinder-circumferential relationship to a previously mounted printing plate; and

Figure 16 illustrates one cylinder in fully prepared state for printing operation and a companion, registering cylinder in the initial stages of printing plate mounting.

The method of the present invention comprises, in essence, the provision of a rotary printing cylinder having a longitudinally extending scored line thereon and of a positive transparency bearing the complete design to be printed, as well as repeat portions thereof; said transparency having a transverse axial line for registration with the cylinder scored line. A flexible printing plate adapted for printing one color of the design is lightly attached to, in registering relationship with, the trans. parency, which latter is thereon presented to the cylinder with which it has already been aligned, to permit transfer of the lightly adhered printing plate to the cylinder for securement thereon, as by a suitable adhesive. Then, the transparency is moved relatively to the cylinder, either longitudinally or circumferentially, for presentation of another like printing plate to the cylinder, with accurate positioning being achieved by registering the appropriate repeat portion of the design on the transparency with the already mounted printing plate. Thereon the step of transferring such plate to the cylinder is again effected. This operation is successively continued until the cylinder has been properly provided with such plates and is, hence, ready for insertion in a printing press. Additional cylinders, depending upon the numbef of colors required, are similarly surmounted with printing plates, as each cylinder will carry printing plates adapted for imparting a single color. To assure that the printing plates of one cylinder are in register with the printing plates of another, one cylinder may be considered the key cylinder and all others related thereto during the printing plate mounting procedure. 7

The foregoing method may be accomplished in vary ing manners; however, the apparatus to be now described has been found to permit the execution of this method in a most expeditious, facile, reliable, and economic manner.

Referring now by reference characters to the drawing, A generally designates an apparatus for mounting printing plates, as of rubber or other flexible material, upon rotary printing cylinders, and comprises a main frame consisting of a pair of horizontally presented, parallel I-beams 1, 2, each having upper and lower flanges 3, 4, which former coact to define a bed, said beams 1, 2 being supported at their ends by leg structures 5, 5, which in their upper portions incorporate end plates 6, 6', respectively, for rigidifying the frame structure; there being braces 7 extending from the legs 5, 5' to the undersurfaces. of flanges. 4 of said beams 1, 2. Provided on the upper surface of the upper flange 3 of each I-beam 1, 2, and substantially coextensive therewith, is a slide bar 8 for movement therealong of elements of apparatus A to be presently described. Presented transversely of the bed of the main frame of apparatus A is a pair of spaced apart plates 9, 10, being adapted in their lower portions for traversing movement along slide bars 8 and centrally supporting a bolt 11 extending downwardly between the upper flanges 3 of I-beams 1, '2 and carrying at its lower end a bar 12 for locking engagement against the under surface of said flanges 3 when the bolt 11 is tightened, as by lock nuts 13, so as to rigidly position plates 9, in selected mutual arrangement on apparatus A. Each plate 9, 10 mounts in its upper portion a pair of V-shaped, upwardly opening bearing blocks 14, 14' for journaling therein the trunnions of a pair of printing cylinders 15, 16. Said printing cylinders 15, 16 are thus disposed in apparatus A preparatory to receiving thereon the printing plates for ultimate installation within a rotary printing press. The open character of bearing blocks 14, 14 permits said cylinders 15, 16 to be easily and quickly disposed upon apparatus A and to be removed therefrom in an equallyfacile manner. The longitudinal relationship of plates'9, 10 may be quickly determined for accommodating cylinders of varying lengths.

Thus, as disposed upon apparatus A, said cylinders 15, 16 are in axially parallel relationship and disposed sideby-side. It should be noted, in passing, that for reference purposes the front side of apparatus A will be that shown in Figure 1, and, as will be more completely developed hereinbelow, an operator will position himself either along the front side or the rear side of apparatus A for eflfective operation thereof.

At their ends, beyond plate 9, each printing cylinder 15, 16 mounts a pinion 17, 18 respectively, which are of identical character, and both of which mesh with a centrally disposed driving gear 19 keyed or otherwise suitably mounted upon a shaft 20; which is axially parallel with said cylinders 15, 16 and is journaled substantially intermediate its length within a barrel-like bearing 21 carried at the upper end of an upright 22 having a threaded shank for engagement'in a plate 23 welded to the under face of flanges 3 of I-beams 1, 2 and being maintained in vertical adjusted position by means of cooperating nuts 24, 24'. Said shaft 20, outwardly of bearing 21 is journaled in, and projects through a bearing (not shown) formed in an upstanding support 25 mounted in its lower portion upon the adjacent end plate 6 of the main frame and being adapted for vertical adjustability. In its outer end projecting portion, said shaft 20 mounts for rotation therewith an indexing wheel or dividing head 26, adapted by means of gears 17, 18- and 19 to effect one complete revolution upon each revolution of cylinders 15, 16; said indexing wheel 26 having a peripheral flange 27 upon which is suitably inscribed, indented, or otherwise marked, as at 28, at pre-determined intervals for indicating selected increments of angular travel of said indexing wheel 26 and, hence, of said cylinders 15, 16. Fixed at the upper end of support 25 is astationary index arm 29 overlying flange 2'7 of indexing-wheel 26'for facilitating determination of the extent of r vel-th eo M un e n, shaft 2.%,;preferab1y be.-

tween support 25 and bearing 21, is a worm gear 30 engaging a worm 31 mounted centrally upon a control shaft 32 journaled in spaced bearings 33, 34, which are secured upon support member 25. Said shaft 32 is in axially normal relationship to shaft 20 and projects at its ends forwardly and rearwardly beyond the front and back edges, respectively, of the main frame of apparatus A, and on each of its projecting ends is fixed a hand wheel 35, 36.

Thus, an operator by actuating either hand wheel 35, 36, depending upon the operators position with respect to apparatus A, will effect rotation of shaft 20 with consequent simultaneous rotation of printing cylinders 15, 16, for purposes more fully appearing hereinbelow. By reference to markings 28 on indexing wheel 26 the operator may easily and accurately control the extent of rotative movement of cylinders 15, 16 for each operation. For example, if printing plates are to be disposed about the circumferential face the latter may be moved the appropriate distance for the desired spacing of such plates.

Provided for reciprocal, controlled longitudinal travel along the bed of the main frame of apparatus A is a carriage, generally designated B, having a main frame of generally rectangular cross section, comprising a lower, transverse member 37, extending beneath I-beams 1, 2, front and back vertical side plates 38, 39,.secured at opposite ends of member 37 and being located outwardly of the adjacent side of the apparatus main frame, and a top or upper transverse portion 40 presented upwardly of slide bars 8 and consisting of a pair of spaced apart runners or guides 40a, 40b, for a slide 41 adapted for selected positionment along said transverse top portion 40. Journaled at its ends in bearings in side plates 38, 39 and extending at each of its ends therebeyond is a transversely extending control shaft 42 upon the central portion of which are secured a pair of spaced apart pinions 43, 44 for respective engagement with racks 45, 46, respectively mounted upon the under surfaces of the base flanges of beams 1, 2, and extending substantially the length of the apparatus main frame between braces 7 (Figure 1). At each of its ends, said shaft 42 mounts an enlarged hand wheel 47, 48 being respectively located forwardly and rearwardly of the front and rear sides of apparatus A whereby upon operation of either, carriage B may be moved longitudinally of the main frame through the coaction of pinions 43, 44 and'the related racks 45, 46; For stabilizing carriage B against undesired tilting movement is a pair of rigidifying arms 49, 50 secured'upon lower transverse member '37, having aligned bearings for extension therethrough of shaft 42"and being adapted for sliding contact with the under surface of the base flange of the adjacent I-beam 1, 2. As may best be seen in Figure 3, carriage B also incorporates a pair of elongated stabilizers 51, 52, extending axially of the main frame of apparatus A and being secured. to the under surface of top portion 40 for movement along the inner portions of the upper flanges of I-beams 1, 2 and incorporating end angle sections 53, at each of their ends, for sliding engagement on their under surface with the adjacent slide bar 8; there being suitable openings, as at 54, in transverse plates 9, 10 (see Figure 5) so that said carriage B may be moved beyond either of said plates, as may be necessary.

Provided for adjustable engagement upon slide 41 of carriage B for movement therewith is a pair of 'panel support structures indicated generally at C, C, and being located respectively forwardly and rearwardly of cylinders 15, 16 for reasons to be presented hereinbelow. Each panel support structure incorporates an upstanding'housing-like base. 55 having an internally threaded portion (not shown) for engagement with the external threadsof an adjustable stem 56. projectingupwardly of base; 55; there being a lock nut 57 for maintaining stem 56,,in

Vertically adjusted position. At its upper end, each stem 56 carries a flat head 58 the upper face of which fixedly supports, flatwise, a hinge support 59 carrying on its inner or cylinder-adjacent face one leaf of a hinge 60, the other leaf of which is engaged to one edge surface of a panel base 61 whereby the latter is rockable between lowered or inwardly presented position wherein the said panel base 61 extends toward the related cylinder 15, 16, as the case may be, being maintained in such position by abutment against the upper surface of the related stem head 58 (as shown at the left hand side of Figure 4), and upward or outwardly presented position wherein the said panel base 61 extends away from the related cylinder in being disposed upwardly of its associated base 58 (see right hand side of Figure 4). Each panel base 61 mounts, as by reception within a longitudinal groove, on its side opposite its hinge mounting an enlarged, transparent, preferably rectangular panel 62, fabricated of sheet glass, or related material, and being rendered stable in its mounting by means of reinforcing rods 63, 63' extending along its face remote from the related cylinder which rods are maintained in position, as by clips 64.

For reasons to be more fully developed below, panels 62 are preferably positioned so that when the same are in inwardly presented or downwardly rocked position, the same will be disposed tangentially to the related cylinder 15, 16 and with said plane being in parallel relationship to the horizontal. Thus, it will be seen that stems 56 may be easily adjusted for effecting the desired positionment of the related panel 62. Each panel support base 55 on its normally outwardly presented face mounts a panel rest comprising a lower, upwardly and outwardly inclined arm 65 which is engageable at its upper, outer end by adjustable means, such as a bolt and wing nut, within an elongated axial slot 66 formed in an intermediate link 67, which latter at its upper end carries a short, inwardly projecting arm 68 having a buffered end or finial portion 69 for disposition thereon of the associated panel 62 when the latter is in outward position (as shown at the right hand side of Figure 4). Thus, the panel rest may be easily adjusted for accommodating the related panel in whatever position of vertical adjustment it might be presented through manipulation of vertical stem 56.

Carriage slide 41 in each of its end portions incorporates a central opening, as at 70, for each of the panel support structures C, C whereby the same may be se lectedly disposed thereon. It will thus be seen that said panel support structures C, C' may be placed along their related openings 70 and secured in such predetermined location as by operations of a base lock nut 71. It will thus be seen that said panel support structures C, C' are adapted for both vertical and lateral adjustment independently-of slide 41 and when tightly engaged to said slide, as by means of base lock nut 71, the same are subject to lateral control through movement of slide 41, as will now be described:

At each end, slide 41 mounts a pair of aligned bearings 72, 73, being secured upon the upper surfaces of members 40a, 40b, respectively, and journaling therein a short shaft 74 which at one end carries a driving gear 75 and wat the other end a control handle 76. Said gear 75 meshes with a rack 77 mounted on the upper surface of member 40a. Thus, by operation of handle 76 slide 41 may be caused to be moved transversely of apparatus A, within the way formed by members 40a, 40b, through the coaction of gear 75 and rack 77. Thus, with panel support structures C, C secured upon slide 41 the operation of either-handle 76 will permit finely controlled positioning of said structures C, C, and hence, of their associated panels 62, 62, with respect to the adjacent printing cylinder 15, 16.

, The operation and use of apparatus A will become allthe more apparent and, hence, comprehensible when considered as an expedient for practicing the method of the present invention. I

Preparatory to the use of apparatus A for performing the method of the present invention, a transparency 80, as prepared by conventional and well-known procedures and techniques from suitable sheet plastic is provided upon which there has been imparted the complete design to be imprinted, as at 81, and portions of the repeats of such design, as at "82, 83; it being recognized that the material to be printed in this instance will be'of repeat character as would appear upon extensive webs, as of wrapping paper, wallpaper, and the like. It should be further understood that the designs or materials to be imprinted can be of any character or nature, as well as extent, and that the design shown at 81 is merely exemplary of the infinite variety possible. Transparency 80 is also provided with a transverse center line, as at 84. Printing plates, as'of rubber or like flexible material, are prepared and which will vary in character depending upon the number of colors to be used in printing design 81. For the sake of simplicity in illustration, it is assumed that said design 81 will be printed in but two colors and, therefore, two types of printing plates will be prepared, one being shown at '86 in Figure 9, having a design portion 86, and the other or complementary plate being shown at 87 in Figure 10, having a design portion 87'.

Each cylinder 15, 16 on its peripheral face has inscribed a scored line 90 which may, if desired, extend the length thereof, being in parallel relationship tothe axis of the respective cylinder.

The operator will then, through the use of a suitable adhesive, cause transparency 80 to be secured to the cylinder confronting face of panel 62 of panel support structure C, the precise location of transparency 80 upon panel 62 being determined by the alignment of its transverse center line 84 with scored line 90 of cylinder 15. Accordingly, to effect this alignment, the operator will have made the necessary adjustments with respect to carriage B, slide 41, and the panel support C; it being further noted, as above stated, that said panel 62 will be presented tangentially to cylinder 15 and in substantially horizontal disposition. Figure 11 thus shows transparency 80 in such position. It is, of course, obvious that in rotating cylinders 15, 16 so as to present scored line90 upwardly, the related gears 17, 18 may be loosened. But it is desired that said scored lines 90 may be presented along the uppermost portion of the associated cylinders.

The operator will then apply a minimal amount of adhesive to the upper face or, design bearing portion of printing plate 86, to effect securement of the same to the under face of transparency 80, which step is ac complished by aligning the design portion 86 thereof with the related portion of design 81 of transparency 80. (See Fig. 12.) Upon such registration by the exercise of light pressure, said printing plate 86 is caused to adhere to the under face of transparency 80. The under face of said printing plate 86 is heavily coated with an adhesive, in considerably greater amount than that'on the upper face and thereon the operator will redeliver panel 62 into superimposed position upon cylinder 15, being certain that accurate positioning will be achieved since the scored line 90 had been previously registered with the transverse line 84 of transparency 80. After such superimposition, the operator will then lift plate 62 for upward and outward rocking and due to the heavy coating of adhesive on the under face of printing plate 86 the same will adhere to the cylinder 15 and cause a parting of printing plate 86 from the transparency 80 due to the very light adhesion therebetween. Thus, Figure 13 illustrates printing plate 86 in fully mounted position upon cylinder 15 and with panel 62 withdrawn preparatory to the next mounting operation.

Directing attention now to Figure 14, it will be observed that panel 62 has now been moved longitudinally of cylinder 15 as by appropriate operation of either hand wheel 47, 48 for effecting travel of carriage B for positioning and mounting a second printing plate 86 upon said cylinder 15. The appropriate spacing is assured by registering the repeat portion of the design 82 with the printing plate 86 immediately previously mounted. Thus, by such alignment, the design to be imprinted will conform to the design as presented upon transparency 80. With such registration effected, another printing plate 86 is attached to the design portion 81 of transparency 80 and transferred to cylinder 15 in the same manner as with the prior printing plate 86. This procedure may then be repeated for mounting successive printing plates 86 longitudinally along cylinder 15. After a longitudinal row of such printing plates 86 have been so secured, cylinder 15 will then be rotated by operation of hand wheel 35 so as to present the next portion thereof for receiving the printing plates 86. The extent of angular movement of cylinder 15 will be predetermined by the size of the printing plates 86 so that the said plates will be properly positioned throughout the entire circumferential face of the printing cylinders. Thus, for instance, if the distance between the centers of designs 81 in adjacent longitudinal rows is equivalent to A the circumference of cylinder 15 the latter will then be turned 90 degrees for positioning for the next succeeding row of printing plates 86. The exact extent of such rotative movement is accurately effected through operation of indexing wheel 26. Referring now to Figure 15, cylinder 15 is illustrated in partially rotated position for receiving a second longitudinally extending row of printing plates 86. Appropriate spacing between the designs of the row to be printed and the immediately previously applied row is assured by the operation of indexing wheel 26. However, in such instances wherein the interval is limited, the design portion 83 of transparency 80 may be used for overlying relationship with respect to the end printing plate 86 of the adjacent row. Design 81 of transparency 80 will now accurately overlie the portion of cylinder 15 for receipt of the to-be-applied plates 86.

Thus, the procedure above outlined will be followed for successively mounting the plates 86 throughout this second row and with additional rows being secured in the same manner so as to complete the mounting operation whereupon cylinder 15 will be presented as shown in the left hand portion of Figure 16.

Hereinabove it has been shown that printing plates 86 may be secured upon cylinder 15 in longitudinally extending rows whereas by the present invention the said printing plates may be mounted in a circumferential manner which will, of course, presentthe same resultant arrangement but permit an operator to remain in one location for a longer period of time.

After cylinder 15 has thus been completely equipped withprinting plates 86 the operator will then move to the rearward side of apparatus A for the mounting of printing plates 87 upon cylinder 16. It is to be espeing, registering relationship with the initial printing plate 86, or starting plate for the row disposed upon the scored line 90 of cylinder 15. Thereupon,.another transparency, of identical character to 80 hereinabove described, is aflixed in the above described manner upon the under or cylinder confronting face of panel 62' of'panel support structure C, with its transverse center line aligned with scored line 90 of cylinder 16' and with its design portion as 81 overlying cylinder 16 at the starting point thereon corresponding to'the starting point on cylinder 15. As thus positioned, the said transparency is'affixed to panel 62' of panel support structure C. The aforesaid starting points of cylinders 15, 16 may be arbitrarily selected for the printing plate mounting operation. Thereupon, printing plates 87 will be mounted upon cylinder 16 in the same manner as printing plates 86 are mounted on cylinder 15 as described he'reinabove. However, it will be noted that to assure appropriate registration the transparency 80 associated with cylinder 15 will be in registration with the corresponding printing plate 86 on cylinder 15 as the printing plates 87 are mounted upon cylinder 16 and thereby assure accurate and precise alignment therebetween. After cylinder 16 has been completely surmounted with printing plates 87, both cylinders 15, 16 may then be removed from apparatus A and delivered to a rotary printing press for operation and with the full assurance that the material to be printed will be in complete registration.

In the event there were to be more than two colors for any one operation, the key cylinder which in this case is cylinder 15, would be maintained in apparatus A while cylinder 16, upon completion, would be removed and the additional cylinders successively mounted in its stead, so that all cylinders would thereby be keyed to'cylinder 15. Upon completing the mounting operation of the printing plates for all of the cylinders involved then at that time cylinder 15 would be removed from the apparatus so that all cylinders may then be properly inserted in the printing press for ultimate operation.

The procedure as above discussed, entails the mounting of transparency 80 upon panel 62 and the application of printing plates 86 upon cylinder 15 and, subsequent thereto, the like procedure with respect to cylinder 16. However, both cylinders may have the printing plates 36, 87 applied thereto in either simultaneous or alternating manner. Thus, upon mounting transparency 80 upon panel 62 and positioning the'same properly with respect to the cylinder 15, the operator may then apply a like transparency to panel 62' so that he will be assured that both transparencies are in appropriate positionment before any printing plates have been mounted on either cylinder. Therefore, the initial and critical registration will have been effected and the mounting operation may then be undertaken. 'If desired, an individual operator may alternatingly from front to back and back to front of the machine have mounted the plates 86, 87 upon their respective cylinders as the work progresses lengthwise thereof, or, there may be disposed individual operators at both sides of the apparatus to effect simultaneous securement.

Thus, the method of the present invention assures reasonably rapid and accurate collocation of printing plates upon cylinders, thereby rendering highly economical operations which have heretofore proven consistently timeconsuming and costly. The apparatus above described which may be utilized in executing the method of this invention may be inexpensively made, and having such a marked simplicity of parts that breakdown is substantially obviated; Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the use of apparatus A does not affect the operation of rotary presses, since the same may be operating simultaneously with the printing plate mounting procedure so that no down-time is requisite. Also of importance is the fact that by presenting the cylinders 15, 16 with their scored lines in upward disposition and the alignment of printing plates therewith, substantially no stretching of the printing plates is caused whereby the ultimate printing design will be an accurate, undistorted reproduction.

By the use of the present invention, the keying of conventional aniline printing rolls into inta-glio, or engraved, copper cylinders, as used in the rotogravure process, may be accomplished.- This has not been'considered feasible heretofore. In order to effect such operation, an intaglio cylinder is placed in position on apparatus A, as in the position of cylinder 15 above described, and an aniline roll is placed in the position of cylinder 16. A transparency, as the type above disclosed at 80, is placed in position upon panel 62 and brought into registration with the related portion of the engraving on the intaglio cylinder. Then a like transparency is disposed on panel 62' for registration upon the aniline roll, as at 16. With such registration effected a flexible printing plate may then be secured upon the aniline roll and the procedure continued until the aniline roll has mounted thereon the requisite number of printing plates 86, 87, above described, for imparting the particular color to the finished design. The thus mounted aniline roll is then replaced by a second, third, etc. aniline roll which will vary in number directly as to the number of colors to be utilized. Therefore, it will be seen that the printing plates mounted upon the aniline rolls are keyed into or registered with the like portions of the engraving of the intaglio cylinder.

In the event there may be two intaglio cylinders prepared then each of the same could be mounted in position upon apparatus A and have the respective transparencies appropriately registered therewith. Then one of the intaglio cylinders could be removed and replaced by an aniline roller with positive assurance that the same would be properly positioned for receiving the printing plates in view of the fact that the removed roller had been accurately disposed.

It will thus be seen that by this use of the present invention considerable economies may be effected in printing, since copper engraved cylinders are considerably more expensive than cylinders having flexible printing plates mounted thereon.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the method and apparatus for mounting printing plates may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described, and changes in the method described may be made without departing from the nature and principle of the present invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for mounting printing plates on printing cylinders comprising a main frame, spaced apart bearings mounted on said frame, a printing cylinder upon which printing plates are to be mounted journalled in said bearings, means for rotating said cylinder, a panel for receiving a copy of the matter to be printed dispo'sed above said cylinder, support means for said panel provided on said main frame, said panel support means being adapted for vertical and horizontal adjustment for positioning said panel with respect to the printing cylinder on which the printing plates are to be mounted so that the said panel may be presented tangentially to said cylinder and in planar parallel relation to the horizontal.

2. Apparatus for mounting printing plates on printing cylinders as described in claim 1 and further characterized by a carriage mounted on said main frame for longitudinal traversing movement therealong, and said panel support means being carried on said carriage.

3. Apparatus for mounting printing plates on printing cylinders comprising a main frame, spaced apart bearings carried on said frame for journaling of a printing cylinder on which printing plates are to be mounted, means for rotating said cylinder, a panel support structure being located on said main frame laterally outwardly of said cylinder, said structure comprising a vertical element, a transparent panel carried on the upper end of said vertical element and being adapted for swinging movement toward and away from said cylinder with one limit of such swinging being determined by abutment of said panel upon the upper surface of said cylinder.

4. Apparatus for mounting printing plates on printing cylinders as described in claim 3 and further characterized by a carriage being adapted for longitudinal traversing movement of said main frame, said panel support struc= ture being carried upon said carriage for selected positionment of the panel with respect to the cylinder, said vertical element being adapted for vertical adjustment, and means for laterally adjusting the panel support structure with respect to the cylinder.

5. Apparatus for mounting printing plates on printing cylinders comprising a main frame, two pairs of spaced apart bearings provided on said main frame for journaling of a pair of printing cylinders to be disposed in side-by side relationship, means for simultaneously rotating said cylinders, means for determining the increment of angular movement of said cylinders, a panel support structure provided on said main frame laterally outwardly of each of said cylinders, a transparent panel member carried by each of said panel support structures and being disposed for disposition in overlying relationship with respect to the adjacent cylinder. 7

6. Apparatus for mounting printing plates on printing cylinders as described in claim 5 and further characterized by a carriage being presented transversely of the main frame and adapted for longitudinal traversing movement thereof, said panel support structures mounted on said carriage for movement therewith, means for swingably mounting the panels upon the respective panel support structures for swinging movement within a vertical plane with the inner limit of such swinging movement being determined by abutment of said panel upon the upper surface of the related cylinder.

7. An apparatus for mounting printing plates on printing cylinders as described in claim 6 and further characterized by means for simultaneously moving said panel support structures within a horizontal plane for adjusting same with respect to the associated cylinders, and means associated with each panel support structure for effecting independent vertical adjustability thereof.

8. Apparatus for mounting printing plates on printing cylinders as described in claim 5 and further characterized by a gear being carried on adjacent ends of each of said cylinders, said gears being of identical character, and drive means engaging each of said gears for effecting simultaneous rotation of said cylinders, indexing means associated with said drive means for efiecting controlled increments of angular movement of said cylinders.

9. A method for mounting printing plates on a printing cylinder comprising providing an axially parallel indicating marker on a printing cylinder, providing a transpar ency of the design to be imprinted which incorporates a registering marker, providing a dim, transparent support member for said transparency to present same above the cylinder, mounting the transparency on one face of the support member with the marker thereof in registration with the indicating marker on the cylinder, providing a printing plate to be mounted, lightly securing said printing plate on the transparency in registration with the design portion thereof, presenting said support member to said cylinder with the transparency and cylinder markers in registration, and securing said printing plate upon said cylinder so that upon withdrawal of the support member the light adhesion between the transparency and the printing plate will be broken.

10. A method for mounting printing plates upon a printing cylinder comprising providing a printing cylinder having an axially parallel indicating marker, providing a transparency of the design to be imprinted which incorporates a registering marker, providing a flat transparent support member for said transparency, mounting the trans parency upon one face of the support member, lightly securing a printing plate upon the transparency in registration with the design portion thereof, presenting the trans parent support member in overlying relationship upon the cyilnder with the transparency marker registering with the indicating marker of the cylinder, applying a relatively heavy coating of adhesive to the exposed face of said 1 i printing plate, and then presenting said support member to said cylinder for effecting adhesion between said printing plate and said cylinder whereby upo'n withdrawal of the support member the light adhesion between the transparency and the printing plate will be broken and the printing plate will be secured upon the cylinder.

11. A method for mounting flexible printing plates upon printing cylinders for multicolor printing comprising providing a pair of printing cylinders each having an axial indicating marker thereon, providing a transparent support member for disposition tangentially of each cylinder, mounting a transparency of the design to be printed upon each transparent support member on the face thereof confronting the related cylinder, each transparency having a linear marker for registering relationship with the marker of the related cylindeig maintaining each transparent support member in position wherein the aforesaid cylinder and related transparency markers are in registering relationship; mounting by light adhesion a printing plate to each transparency in registering. relationship with the design portion thereof, coating the underface of each printing plate with a relatively heavy layer of adhesive material, presenting the support members upon the related cylinders so that the respective printing plate will be in adherence upon the related cylinder, Withdrawing the transparent support members whereby the printing plates will be parted therefrom through the light adhesion, and then rotating said cylinders through a slight degree of angular movement, and then repeating the printing plate mounting procedure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,249,245 Hofrichter July 15, 1941 2,428,428 McCarter Oct. 7, 1947 2,602,237 Navarre July 8, 1952 

